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Moving On

While a host of moneybags Irish celebrities were reported to be interested in buying the man-made island built in the shape of a miniature Ireland in Dubai, it has instead been bought by a little-known Dutch property developer for €13.5m. The tycoon plans to build a castle on the 500,000-sq-ft island, which should be ready for occupation in 2008. He might also addg some sort of perimeter fence. Apparently, randy old rocker Rod Stewart has just paid €32m for the replica island of Britain, which is separated from Ireland by just a 330ft channel.

News that Tiger Woods paid €300,000 to rent a house for just eight days beside Royal Troon for the British Open should interest Kilkenny residents with large spreads close to Mount Juliet. Woods and 50 of the world’s top golfers are due in Ireland at the end of September to play in the World Golf Championship,